Virgenio "Gene" Bismuti Virgenio "Gene" Bismuti, a resident of Olympia since 1953, died on April 25, 2014 after suffering first a fall in February, pneumonia as a result of congestive heart failure, and natural causes. He was 92 years old. Gene was born May 19, 1921 in Everett, Massachusetts to Joseph Bismuti and Domenica Bartolucci Bismuti, immigrants from Fano, Italy. He married Susan Swink on June 17, 1961 in Seattle. They adopted three children. Susan preceded him in death in June 1998 after 37 years of marriage. Gene served in the Air Force during World War II from 1942 to 1946. He was a gunner, and flew B-17's until a crash grounded him, injuring his legs. He spent the remainder of the war at Mitchell Field on Long Island, NY. Gene graduated from Seattle University in 1949 with a degree in business and from the University of Washington in 1950 with a degree in Library Science. He also attended Law School. He worked as a reference librarian at the Seattle Public Library, as an Assistant Librarian in the Undergraduate Library at the University of Washington, and retired from the Washington State Library in 1990 after 36 years of service in various positions. He also worked with the Code Revisor's Office on the digest and indexing during the legislature sessions. He was a member of the American Library Association and the Washington Library Association. He was also a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. Gene learned the tailor trade as a young adult. He enjoyed gardening and working around his home and yard. In past years he enjoyed playing golf and greatly enjoyed fishing with friends. He also enjoyed "mushrooming" in Millersylvania State Park for chanterelle mushrooms, a Northwest delicacy, with family and friends. Gene and Sue gladly sacrificed their own needs and wants, time and resources to provide the best life possible for their children who were then able to participate in many sports and musical endeavors. They were wonderful, loving parents. Gene had a very big heart and of late opened his home to those less fortunate, providing a room or odd jobs around the house. Most recently, his two sons lived with him in his Olympia home. Gene is survived by his daughter, Mary Marr of San Carlos, California; two sons, John Bismuti and Pete Bismuti, both of Olympia, Washington; two granddaughters; a sister, Mary Anooshian of Wakefield, Massachusetts; and two nieces, Mary Anooshian and Katherine Butler, as well as numerous relatives in Canada. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 12:00 noon at St. Michael's Parish in Olympia, Washington. Internment will follow at the Calvary Cemetery, Olympia, Washington. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Forest Funeral Home, Olympia, Washington. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the
, Disabled American Veterans, or an animal shelter of your choice.